The Banana Pro is essentially an updated version of the Banana Pi. Unlike its predecessor, this device features a microSD ("TF") slot, onboard WLAN and a 40 pin GPIO header (that mimics the Raspberry Pi A+/B+ models). To make room for the additional GPIO pins, the analog A/V output is combined into a single TRRS type 3.5mm connector.

Identification

At least 3 different PCB revisions exist. The first pre-production version featured a RTL8189ES Wi-Fi chip instead of the AP6181 used for the production versions. The letters "BANANA PRO" were printed on the bottom side of the PCB. The second batch with AP6181 had also "BANANA PRO" on the bottom between DRAM and HDMI connector. Later batches came without this lettering.

All Banana Pro PCBs are black with yellow expansion headers, and the LeMaker Logo is printed on the upper side of the PCB. The Banana Pro can be differentiated from the other SBCs LeMaker tries to sell starting from June 20th 2015 by looking at the A20 SoC.

Sunxi support

Current status

Supported.

Images

HW-Pack

BSP

Manual build

The "legacy" community u-boot-sunxi does not support the Banana Pro. Use mainline U-Boot instead (see below), or try the version from LeMaker's repository.

Adding a serial port

Locating the UART

The UART pins are located in the lower right corner of the board (connector J15) - they are marked as GND, RX and TX on the PCB. Just attach some leads according to our UART Howto.

Powering the board

When no 2.5" SATA disk is used the board can also be powered more reliable through the SATA-power-connector since this connector and the normal power-in Micro USB connector located between SATA and SATA-pwr are connected directly.

Pictures

Also known as

Variants

SinoVoip produced a different version of called "M1Plus" (BPi-M1+) as a Banana Pro rip-off sharing exactly the same hardware specs and almost the same position of onboard connectors. Main difference: SoC, DRAM and PMU are on the upper side of the PCB whereas on the lower on Banana Pro. Featurewise both boards are nearly identical and fex/dts files can be interchanged directly, with one small exception: according to LeMaker's and Sinovoip's fex files, [audio_pa_ctrl] differs: PH26 on M1+ and PH15 on Banana Pro. It turned also out that the blue led is red and connected to PH25 instead of PG02.